Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 16 · 2026-09-13

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The diagram below shows the process for recycling plastic bottles.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

How plastic bottles are recycled

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The given diagram demonstrates the recycling process of plastic bottles.

Overall, it is a cyclic process. It consists of nine stages, and it starts from collecting bottles from the waste and ends at useful products.

Firstly, the bottles are collected from the garbage in the garbage truck. The loaded truck's container transports the collected material to the recycling centre. In the recycling center, the plastic bottles are sorted according to the categories. The gathered bottles are compressed and converted into the shape of block. The crushing machine is used in the fifth step, the block shape plastic is put in the machine and crushed particles steadily move within the water container which is placed under the crushing machine.

Whereas, the washed plastic particles are converted into pellets by putting it inside the pellets producing machine. In the 7th step; the pellets are heated to form the raw material. The raw material is used to make bottles, transparent food boxes and shopping bags etc..

The process is again repeated and passes through all of the above stages to make plastic objects.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The student successfully identifies the main features of the plastic bottle recycling process, providing an overview that highlights it as a cyclic operation consisting of nine stages. Key steps are reported, from collecting and sorting to crushing, washing, pelletising, and manufacturing final products. However, there are some minor omissions and slight inaccuracies in detailing the full sequence of steps, and certain relationships between stages are expressed a bit mechanically, such as using 'Whereas' inappropriately to introduce a sequential step. Despite these minor limitations, the task is adequately covered, earning a solid Band 6.0.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.0

The response exhibits a coherent overall arrangement with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Progression is generally maintained through sequencing devices such as 'Firstly', 'In the fifth step', and 'In the 7th step;'. However, referencing and paragraphing are occasionally awkward, such as starting a new paragraph mid-process with 'Whereas,' which does not logically fit the transition needed for a sequential diagram. Cohesive devices are sometimes mechanical or inaccurate in function. Overall, the organisational structure is logical enough to ensure the progression is followed, aligning well with the Band 6 descriptor.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully using terms like 'recycling centre', 'compressed', 'crushing machine', 'particles', and 'pellets'. There are some attempts at less common vocabulary, though accompanied by word choice and collocation errors, such as 'block shape plastic' instead of 'plastic blocks' and 'pellets producing machine' instead of 'pelletiser' or 'pelletising machine'. Spelling is generally accurate, and vocabulary errors do not impede communication, placing the response firmly in the Band 6 category.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer employs a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, such as 'The loaded truck's container transports the collected material to the recycling centre.' and 'The crushing machine is used in the fifth step, the block shape plastic is put in the machine and crushed particles steadily move within the water container...'. However, there are noticeable grammatical errors and punctuation slips, including a comma splice in the aforementioned sentence and incorrect pronoun use like 'putting it inside' when referring back to plural 'particles'. Despite these errors, meaning remains clear and they rarely impede communication, supporting a Band 6 score.

See this exact question answered at other band scores — the same prompt compared across bands.

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